Brawley wins intense match vs. Calexico

After inaugurating their Imperial Valley League volleyball season with Tuesday’s romp over Central, the Brawley Wildcats ranged a bit farther south on Thursday, heading to Calexico to face the Bulldogs in what would prove to be a real livewire matchup.

Despite it being their third match in three days, the Bulldogs showed real verve in the match, putting a real scare into the defending IVL champs.

In 2017, the Wildcats dropped only two sets in league play, with the first not coming until nearly a month into the season.

Calexico ensured that 2018 will not see a similar streak, taking the very first set of the night by a score of 25-19.

Brawley course-corrected after that, winning the match 3-1, but the Bulldogs went down swinging — 25-22, 25-16, 25-21 — in the last three sets, looking every inch the contender as they did so.

Longtime Wildcat coach, Phil Finnell, acknowledged the evening’s sensational aura, saying, “Last night was an intense match. Both teams played at a high level. It was probably the most fun IVL match we’ve had in a long time.”

Some high-achievers for the match included: • Brawley’s Brenna Berker and Emily Godsey, who combined for 32 kills, with 17 and 15, respectively

• Jalyn Ayala, another Wildcat, who assisted her teammates 32 times and served up three aces

• Backline savants Jennah Rodriguez and Savannah Contreras, who handled 50 serves between them while committing zero errors

Brawley (now 4-0, 2-0 IVL) is participating in the September Classic Tournament hosted by Canyon Crest Academy and Westview High School in San Diego this weekend.

Yesterday they participated in pool play with games against Del Norte, El Capitan, and Mission Vista.

Today they enter bracket play.

Calexico (5-2, 1-1 IVL) meanwhile will be gearing up for a Tuesday meeting with Southwest at home, set to begin at 6 p.m.